Camp Mishawaka
Camp Mishawaka
Currently recruiting for the season from June 9th, 2024 to August 10th, 2024.
Camp Mishawaka is located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and was founded in 1910. With more than 100 years in the business, Mishawaka is a traditional, overnight outdoor camp serving children ages 8-16. Located on Lake Pokegama, campers stay for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks at a time. Our campers come from all over the country and world, representing 31 different states and 10 different countries.
Camp Mishawaka is located on the shores of Lake Pokegama in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Lake Pokegama is a beautiful 5,000 acre lake that offers natural access to the Mississippi River. It is cool, clean, and the sandy shore and gently sloping beach offer great access to everything the waterfront offers.
- Location
- Minnesota
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 45
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- There is a variety of housing at Camp Mishawaka including large lodge-style cabins with electricity and smaller ones without. Counselors generally share a cabin with 4-6 campers. All lodging is simple, yet comfortable with easy access to adjacent shower and bath facilities.
- Family housing available
- No
- Single occupancy housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Camp Mishawaka
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire summer staff members for a variety of positions for the 2024 season from June 9th-August 10th who share a commitment to making a positive difference in the life of a child. Overseeing and developing lessons for specialized or general camp activities, living and fostering an atmosphere of safety and comfort for a cabin group of 4-6 campers for up to eight weeks, leading a variety of activities throughout the day, and/or possibly planning and guiding extended wilderness trips for up to five days, staff at Mishawaka are provided with true leadership opportunities.
The Employee Experience
All the skills counselors learn (and hone), including critical thinking, collaboration, organization, communication, and creativity, have real world applications, and whether you are considering a career in education or another field, working effectively with people from different backgrounds and areas, as Mishawaka staff members do, provides an experience that you will be able to draw on for years to come.
Ideal Candidate
Due to the seasonal nature of camp, our staff are usually students and teachers - often a combination of married couples, veteran teachers and college-aged men and women. We do not require previous camp experience; we want to employ people who are passionate about leading by example and connecting with kids.
General Qualifications
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Be 18 years of age or older by the time of employment
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, and other relevant activity certifications preferred for activity head positions
Competencies
- Enjoy working with children
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and recordkeeping
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, and maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
Room and Board
Free room and board are provided for all staff. There is a variety of housing at Camp Mishawaka including large lodge-style cabins with electricity and smaller ones without. Counselors generally share a cabin with 4-6 campers. All lodging is simple, yet comfortable with easy access to adjacent shower and bath facilities. Free weekly laundry service is also provided, and a camp vehicle can be utilized on days off.
Employee Perks
In addition to their salary and room and board, staff at Mishawaka enjoy the following benefits:
- A travel stipend is based on where they live. It is intended to cover the cost of transportation to Camp Mishawaka.
- Weekly laundry service
- Use of a camp vehicle on days off
- Use of camp equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes during time off
- Regular staff get-togethers and social hours during time-off
Getting Here and Getting Around
Camp Mishawaka is located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This small northern town is about three hours north of Minneapolis, and an hour and a half northwest of Duluth. For out-of-state staff, most arrive by plane, flying into Minneapolis/St. Paul Int'l Airport. When you arrive at the airport, a member of our team will be there to pick you up and bring you to Mishawaka!
For staff members who wish to drive to camp, that is no problem. Parking is available once you arrive. If you do not have a car, you may use a camp vehicle during your time off.
For Fun
Belaying a climber, teaching a camper how to sail, or describing to to build a perfect campfire — your day will be full of fun as you enjoy the natural beauty of the northern wilderness.
Current Job Openings
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Previous experience working with children with gym equipment including free weights
- CPR and other activity certifications preferred
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Previous experience working with children on high ropes / challenge courses and climbing walls
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and other activity certifications preferred
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Previous experience planning and leading children on extended, overnight wilderness trips
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and other relevant activity certifications preferred
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification required
- American Red Cross Lifeguard and First Aid/CPR/AED certification required
- Experience instructing beginning swimmers required
- Experience operating small motor boats in close proximity to other vessels preferred.
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Experience instructing beginning sailors in small boat sailing
- Experience operating small motor boats in close proximity to other vessels
- Experience in small sailboat racing preferred
- US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Certification or higher preferred
- Safe Powerboat Handling Certification preferred
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
- Foster and atmosphere of safety and comfort for a cabin group of 4-6 campers
- Lead a variety of land and water activities
- Assist with and/or lead extended overnight trips and other general outdoor/camping activities
- Availability between June 9 and August 10
- Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Previous experience working with children preferred
- Have an interest in learning the special skills it takes to be a camp counselor
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, and other activity certifications preferred
- Enjoy working with children!
- Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
- Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
- Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
- Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
- Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.
- You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
- You get to play games and be outside everyday
- Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
- On days off, counselors are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
Head of Fitness
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire a head of fitness from June 9th-August 10th. The head of fitness oversees Camp Mishawaka's fitness and circuit training program, equipment, and awards, ensuring that program is conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly and that any awards are distributed in a consistent, transparent fashion.
In most cases the head of fitness will also serve as a cabin counselor for a cabin group of 4-6 campers.
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
Head of High Ropes Course / Climbing
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire a head of high ropes course / climbing from June 9th-August 10th. The head of high ropes course / climbing oversees Camp Mishawaka's climbing wall and high ropes program, equipment, and awards, ensuring that program is conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly and that any awards are distributed in a consistent, transparent fashion.
In most cases the head of high ropes course / climbing will also serve as a cabin counselor for a cabin group of 4-6 campers.
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
Wilderness Trip Leaders / Trip Director
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire wilderness trip leaders and a trip director from June 9th-August 10th. In coordination with the trip leaders, the trip director oversees Camp Mishawaka's wilderness tripping program (including all trip planning and preparations), equipment, and awards, ensuring that program is conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly and that any awards are distributed in a consistent, transparent fashion. More about the variety and extent of Mishawaka's tripping program can be found here.
In most cases, wilderness trip leaders and the trip director will also serve as cabin counselors for cabin groups of 4-6 campers.
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
Head of Waterfront
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire a head of waterfront from June 9th-August 10th. The head of waterfront oversees Camp Mishawaka's waterfront and swimming program including all general waterfront activities, equipment and awards, ensuring that waterfront activities are conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly and that the levels for the swimming program are implemented and awarded in a consistent, transparent fashion.
In most cases the head of waterfront will also serve as a cabin counselor for a cabin group of 4-6 campers.
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
Head of Sailing
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire a head of sailing from June 9th-August 10th. The head of sailing oversees Camp Mishawaka’s sailing program, equipment including a fleet of 15+ sailboats, and awards, ensuring that the program is conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly, and that awards and levels program are implemented in a consistent, transparent fashion.
In most cases the head of sailing will also serve as a cabin counselor for a cabin group of 4-6 campers.
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
Boys / Girls Camp General Counselor
Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire staff members from June 9th-August 10th who share a commitment to making a positive difference in the life of a child. Living with a cabin group of campers for up to eight weeks, leading a variety of activities throughout the day, and possibly guiding extended wilderness trips for up to five days, counselors at Mishawaka are provided with true leadership opportunities. All the skills counselors learn (and hone), including critical thinking, collaboration, organization, communication, and creativity, have real world applications, and whether you are considering a career in education or another field, working effectively with people from different backgrounds and areas, as Mishawaka counselors do, provides an experience that you will be able to draw on for years to come.
Essential Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Competencies:
Working Conditions
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete our application by clicking on the button below, and we will follow-up with an interview. If you would like additional information prior to applying, you may fill out our brief staff interest form here, and we will be in touch!
Contact Info
- Peter Myers
- info@campmishawaka.com
- (218) 326-5011
- campmishawaka.com
